Juvenile charged in murders

February 5, 2013

STEUBENVILLE - The Jefferson County prosecutor's office on Monday filed two murder charges, each with a firearm specification, against Kordel Moncreace, 16, of Steubenville in connection with two shooting deaths on Wednesday.

County Juvenile Judge Sam Kerr will schedule a probable cause hearing. There is an automatic bindover to adult court if Kerr finds probable cause that Moncreace committed the murders. The case then will be presented to the county grand jury, probably on April 3.

City Police were called around 9:30 p.m. to the Heritage Place Apartments on Market Street after receving reports that shots had been fired.

City Police said Ryan Toson, 21, and Otavius Wilson, 19, both of Steubenville, were taken to Trinity Medical Center West with multiple gunshot wounds, where they were both pronounced dead.

Police reported a large caliber handgun was used in the shooting.

The 16-year-old suspect was arrested around 2 a.m. Friday. City Police Chief William McCafferty said police still are investigating a possible motive.

McCafferty said the gunman walked up to the two victims, shot one, then the other and then shot them again.

The chief said, "We were able to solve this with the cooperation from citizens."